Written by Cynthia Moss, Legacy Coalition Ambassador and GrandLife Director for Shades Mountain Baptist Church
The ministry of intentional Christian Grandparenting within the church at its root is a ‘children’s ministry.’ A ministry that can serve every stage of life from birth through adulthood!
As grandparents, we come alongside our adult children with our prayers and support. Our desire is that our grandchildren be raised within the church and for God’s glory.
Many churches today observe a time of dedication for their young families and babies. Namely, Baby Dedication Day!
It’s a given that grandparents, grand-aunts, and uncles come to these happy events to share in the sweet prayers and solemn reflections offered to their young family.
Baby Dedication days are an opportunity for the church to recognize the grand members of the family that will pour their life and love into these little ones throughout their lives.
At Shades Mountain Baptist Church, our GrandLife Team gathers regularly to brainstorm ways we can encourage and equip our grandparents.
One of our best ideas was to step into Baby Dedication Day and offer a gift bag to the grandparents.
It’s a simple thing actually, but full of encouragement and resources for the grandparent as they seek to live out their Faith with intention and purpose!
Below is what we ‘gift’ our grandparents!
- Prayer cards/bookmarks – these are FREE from the christiangrandparenting.com website. There are several offered but we use the Prayers for Grandparents and Prayers for Grandchildren.
- A page of resources noting websites and books. Many more are recommended from the websites themselves.
- A Baby Dedication newsletter created for the event. A monthly GrandLife newsletter is sometimes included and/or offered if they request one.
Giftbags are placed on a table to pick up as they leave. We’ve noticed if a grandparent is not present, the young mom or dad will gather one to give to their parent later. No bag is wasted!
During the service itself, we are given a few minutes to recognize the importance of grandparents and what their godly influence can mean in the life of their grandchild.
As the ministry of grandparenting grows within the church, we must consider new ways to encourage, equip, and engage grandparents in the life of their grandchild both within and outside our churches.
Grandparents are uniquely positioned to make a huge difference in the life of a grandchild.
They have the life experience of walking with the Lord and usually the time to give to purposefully help disciple their grandchild.
Grandchildren are indeed the ‘crown of the elderly’ but they are also a call to disciple.
Consider involving grandparents in your baby dedication services. It’s a great first step – take a baby step today!
